Kids Face Brain Drain Over The Summer

MIAMI (CBSMiami.com) – Alice Cooper would be proud because school's out for summer. While kids love this time of year, it can be bad news for their brains.

Researchers say over the summer break, school children can fall as much as three months behind. Over summer break, kids need to do more than just play outdoors or stay indoors and play video games.

"You get 'dummer' over the summer. Isn't that horrible," said Jenny Isenman, lifestyle expert and founder of Suburbanjungle.com.

To avoid losing what kids have learned during the school year, Isenman, who has two children of her own and raises them here in South Florida, has some ideas for parents to avoid brain drain. Isenman wants parents to take their kids on field trips.

"There's museums, science centers, local parks, book stores, libraries, kids shows, and plays. There is so much stuff that they can do," said Isenman.

Family members can make errands fun over the summer months.

"Let your kids handle the money. Let your kids handle the change," said Isenman.

Another useful tool, is to set aside game time with games that will keep their brains learning.

"People don't realize there are a lot of educational games that people love to play anyway," said Isenman.

Parents can also surf websites like bookadventure.com for reading, math with mathfactcafe.com or overall learning websites like mensaforkids.org.

"The key is to oversee what they are doing and make sure they are not spending their time on you tube," said Isenman.

Either way, work or play, the secret to the summer is to educate the children while having a good time.